Research Paper on Management and Organisations in Global Environment

This research paper examines the multifaceted impact of globalization on management and organizational structures, drawing heavily on the works of Thomas Friedman and the contrasting perspectives of McSweeney and Hofstede on national cultures. The report begins by outlining Friedman's three stages of globalization, emphasizing the shift towards individual-driven globalization and the risks associated with the 'flat world' concept. It then delves into e-learning activities, analyzing the implications of a globalized world and the importance of adapting to rapid changes. Furthermore, the paper contrasts McSweeney's view of national cultures as sub-sets with Hofstede's broader dimensions, arguing for the former's greater applicability. The paper concludes by reiterating the significance of core competencies in a globalized environment and the need for organizations and individuals to navigate the complexities of a flattened world. The report is based on the HI6005 course and includes references from various scholarly sources.

Higher Education Faculty
Assignment Cover Sheet
Subject Title Management and Organisations in a Global Environment
Subject Code HI6005
Lecturer NAVROOP SINGH
Assignment Title Research Paper 1
Due Date Friday Week 6
Contact Details Student ID BIC3007
Student Name NAVROOP SINGH
Student e-mail address [e-mail]
I acknowledge that:
1. This assignment is my work. I acknowledged and disclosed fully any assistance received in its
preparation and cited any sources from which I used data, ideas, words, either quoted directly or
paraphrased.
2. This assignment was prepared by us specifically and only for this subject.
3. This assignment is identical with the work submitted via Self-Check on Blackboard.

Table of Contents
Executive Summary...............................................................................................................................3
E-learning Activities...............................................................................................................................3
Week 2 – Activity 1: Thomas Friedman on Globalisation:3 Eras of Globalisation: World is flat.........3
Week 2 – Activity 4: ‘The myth of national culture’...........................................................................5
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................5
Reference Lists......................................................................................................................................5

Executive Summary
The report focuses on the stages of globalisation, which are marked as era. Thomas Friedman
describe three phases on globalisation first having to do with companies. The first activity
identifies risks of the flat world, which is time lag in innovation. The risk is waiting for some
business waiting to happen can be a loss of business in totality.
McSweeney’s view of national cultures hold much prominence compared to those of
Hofstede’s national cultures. The most valid assumption of McSweeney’s theory includes
cultures being sub-sets of national cultures. Hofstede’s on the other established cultures on
being broad dimensions of nationality.
E-learning Activities
Week 2 – Activity 1: Thomas Friedman on Globalisation:3 Eras of
Globalisation: World is flat
Thomas Friedman in his concept of globalisation highlighted three distinct stages. First stage
focussed on expansion of companies (Christopherson, 2008). Second stage of globalisation
focussing on countries globalising and third phase on individual globalising. At each stage of
globalisation, focus is on extension of capabilities and gaining from resources of others. The
most important phase of globalisation is now, which is expected to continue in the future.
This last phase has individuals wanting to explore the world for the purpose of their benefits.
If an idea exists and there are possibilities to explore and develop on those ideas then
individuals will do so instead of waiting. Waiting on an opportunity can lead to significant
wastage of time, hence the iron rule is to get things done or opportunities turned into business
ideas. In case an individual waits for an opportunity for a time period then another individual
might pick up on that idea and implement it to reap benefits from it (Rugman, 2008). There
are several instances of businesses in the flat world that have been borne out of ideas,
concepts or perceptions. Thus, the major drawback or risks living in a flat world can be losing
out on a substantial time period, which will in turn lead to losing of the business opportunity
in itself. There is immense competition amongst individuals, who are exploring new set of
ideas, concepts which can be applied to create sustainable advantage for business growth in

the future. Major drawback in a flat world can include not implementing a preconceived idea
or thought that could turn into a possible opportunity for the future (Friedman, Retrieved on
25th August 2017). Friedman explains that in a flattened world each factor comes together
for spreading their roots to create an environment that is conducive to flattening of the
structure. Creation of complementary software and internet in political environment of
developing countries have created perfect ambience to keep up with pace of globalisation.
Globalisation has changed and transformed from a historical era of the day of Columbus to
the present state. Globalisation has been further seen to be understood while diagnosing the
concepts of outsourcing and offshoring. Friedman in his work focussed individual’s
involvement for forming a part of the whole. Competition is important in this flat world as it
has trickled down from countries, to companies and now extending to individuals. Individuals
in this globalised world acts on their own, instead of associating themselves with specific
country or company (Jones, 2010). Imaginations and concepts are transformed at a more
rapid rate in a faster, deeper, father and cheaper means than it was earlier. Primarily the
concept was focussed on shaping business and competition in technologically driven global
environment. Individuals are planning ways and means such that they can stay ahead of the
competition. There is presently immense and rapid flow of information that is being
exchanged online, which depicts effect of businesses to perform responsibilities from across
varied locations, tax preparations and other methods. Friedman has visualised the world to be
moving at a much faster rate than anyone can cope up with, providing a fast-evolving
economic platform. Individuals are becoming more collaborative, competitive and are able to
share different cultures, educational background and religions (Friedman T. , 2007). There
are however various potential threats that could inflict harm on the flattened world, which
primarily includes threats from terrorism as from Al-Qaeda operations which drives scare and
panic amongst individuals. Friedman identifies the ten forces that has led to flattening of the
world. they are, collapse of the Berlin Wall, Netscape, Work Flow Software, Uploading,
Outsourcing, Offshoring, Supply-Chaining, Insourcing, In-forming and Steroids (Cieslik,
2009).

Week 2 – Activity 4: ‘The myth of national culture’
Professor McSweeney’s view of national cultures are divided and sub-divided into sub-
cultures. His study established that countries have cultural sub-sets and hence every country
is an integration of various micro-locational cultures (McSweeney B. , 2002). Hofstede’s
view on a national having a culture in totality cannot be accepted and according to me
McSweeney offers a more compelling thought of each country having a culture of its own. In
Australian alone there is culture of Aboriginals and Islander Strait people, Westernised
culture, culture of immigrants settled in the country (Hofstede, 2010). Hence, assuming that
Australia’s entire culture is Westernised will not be acceptable. In case feedback regarding
any specific topic is obtained from people of different sub-cultures there is bound to be
difference in opinion and thought processed. Geert Hofstede’s view on national culture was
obtained from a group that was mentally prepared to deliver results. Further, the dimensions
proposed by Hofstede as individualism versus collectivism, masculinity versus feminity and
so on can be applied onto sub-cultural sets (McSweeney P. B., Retrieved on 25th August
2017). A nation is bound to have a population of varying cultures, as in Australia Indigenous
people have varied individualism index as compared to westernised Australian population.
Conclusion
Thomas Friedman’s globalisation concepts are highly accredited across organisations and
individuals wanting to extend their core competencies. Emergence of flat world has led to
creation and generation of innovative business concepts that are applied to gain advantage
from market opportunities. The second activity, is regarding agreeing to Thomas Friedman’s
idea of the flat world. It can be assumed that world has become flattened with establishing of
core competencies and capabilities across various domains from individuals. Extensions of
individual capabilities have led to emergence of creating the world in a flattened manner.
Hofstede’s study thus provides a broad based views for cultural analysis compared to
McSweeney. Views on national cultures as proposed by McSweeney are much more
compelling and can be applied onto various sub-cultural groups. Thus, McSweeneys views
are much more applicable and hence acceptable.

Reference Lists
Christopherson, S. G. (2008). The world is not flat: putting globalization in its place.
Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 343-349.
Cieslik, T. F. (2009). Greater China in an era of globalization. . Lexington Books.
Friedman. (Retrieved on 25th August 2017). Globalisation Era.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp4znWHvsjU .
Friedman, T. (2007). The world is flat 3.0. A World History.
Hofstede, G. (2010). 'Geert Hofstede.', National cultural dimensions.
Jones, A. (2010). Globalization: key thinkers (Vol. 1). Polity.
McSweeney, B. (2002). The essentials of scholarship: A reply to Geert Hofstede. Human
relations, 55(11), 1363-1372.
McSweeney, P. B. (Retrieved on 25th August 2017). National Cultures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_l84Dj2eXY.
Rugman, A. &. (2008). Friedman's follies: Insights on the globalization/regionalization
debate. Business and Politics, 1-14.